Two weeks after the Ebola outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Reuters and ABC News turned to ALIMA, which has worked in Ituri for several years.
Reuters, 27 May 2026: a response behind the virus
In an investigation into the international response, Reuters shows that it is running weeks behind. According to documents seen by the agency, only 7% of identified contacts had been found and followed up. Reuters interviews Mamadou Kaba Barry, ALIMA’s head of mission in the DRC, and notes that ALIMA has run 60 health centres in Ituri for several years.
“People are afraid. We never get used to Ebola.” (Mamadou Kaba Barry, Head of Mission in the DRC, ALIMA)
📰 Read the article on Reuters
ABC News, 28 May 2026: trust as a health issue
Speaking from Bunia, Dr Richard Kojan tells ABC News about the lack of laboratory capacity. Suspected patients sometimes wait days for results, which increases the risk that they leave isolation too early. He also points to shortages of masks and protective equipment, and the need for trained health workers to raise awareness in communities.
“People don’t trust that, you know, Ebola is a reality.” (Dr Richard Kojan, intensive-care physician, ALIMA)
Across both outlets, ALIMA delivers the same message: containing the outbreak requires more resources on the ground and the trust of communities.
📰 Read the article on ABC News
